Obituary of William Charles Funai, Jr.
William Charles “Bill” Funai, Jr., age 97, of Morris, IL, passed away Sunday, August 2, 2026, at Serenity Estates, Morris. Bill was a wonderful and generous father, grandfather and husband.
William was born February 15, 1929, in Chicago, IL, the son of William and Helen (Bertolani) Funai. He graduated from Plainfield High School in 1947, and enlisted in the U. S. Army. His first assignment was to Tokyo, Japan as part of the U.S. occupation. During the Korean War he remained in Japan working in supply. When Bill returned from Japan, he went to work for Federal Electric and worked on the construction of the DEW line, stationed in Barter Island, Alaska.
On February 6, 1960, Bill was united in marriage to Mildred Jean Jacobs in Streator, IL. He not only gained a wife but also two daughters. Bill and Millie brought three more children into the world and settled into a wonderful life before Millie’s death in 1979.
Bill was a systems analyst and worked in logistics at the Joliet Army Ammunition Plant. In 1973, he transferred to the Rock Island Arsenal and the family settled in East Moline. Bill worked for the U.S. Army Armament, Munitions, and Chemical Command, retiring in 1986.
In 1985, Bill married his high school classmate, Muriel Townill Cherry and gained three more children and a handful of grandchildren. Bill and Muriel would spend the next 41 years together enjoying retirement, family, and a love of travel. The couple enjoyed their winter home in Florida, and numerous trips throughout the states and a memorable tour of Europe.
Bill had a love for Chicago sports teams, and was a founding member of the Chicago Cubs Diehard Fan Club. The 2016 World Championship was a lifelong dream come true! He also enjoyed a good card game and a vodka martini or two.
Those left to treasure Bill’s memory are his wife, Muriel of Morris, IL; sons, Guy Funai of East Moline and Alan (Gloria) Funai of Alpha, IL; daughters, Pam (Bob) Wrobel of Morris, IL, Chris Winemiller of Benton, IL, Linda (Arnie) Ozbolt of Plainfield, IL, and Toni (Paul) Williams of Silvis, IL; and daughters-in-law, Margaret Cherry and Christine Cherry. He also leaves behind 12 grandchildren; 21 great-grandchildren, soon to be 22; and two great-great-grandchildren.
Bill was preceded in death by his parents; his sister, Loretta Hopkins; sons, Casey and John Cherry; son-in-law, Glen Winemiller; and grandchildren, Amanda Vandeboncoeur, Terry Gearhart, and Jamie VanderHeyden.
Cheers to a life well lived! Go Cubs!!
There will be no visitation. A private graveside service will be held at the Rock Island Arsenal. Fred C. Dames Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in Bill’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association (www.alz.org) would be appreciated.
